Intracontinental tectonics and orogeny—An introduction of a new tectonic subject

The theory of plate tectonics has developed over the past 60 years, and geologists have long regarded it as the dominant model for global tectonic processes. However, it still fails to fully explain continental tectonics and deformation. What, then, constitutes global tectonics? The relationship between plate tectonics and intracontinental tectonics, intracontinental orogeny classified according to different tectonic settings and evolutionary characteristics across the globe, are fundamentally absent. Furthermore, the far-field and near-field tectonic stresses, examining their modes of transmission and their roles in tectonic processes, are still unknown.

Moreover, with regard to tectonic evolution, the role of the advection mantle in continental tectonics, alongside its influence on the global tectonic framework should be considered, but not merely mantle convection. By mantle advection, along with horizontal and vertical flow patterns, such as mantle upwelling and downwelling responding to the rifting and orogeny, plays a significant role. This includes shear zones and mantle extrusion beneath continents, rotated mantle flow and energy transmission around the continental lithospheric root, could provide new perspectives on tectonic processes. We suggest that various mantle flow patterns, leading to the clear proposition that global tectonics can be defined as the combination of transcontinental tectonics, plate tectonics, and intracontinental tectonics.